Sunday, Aug 24, 2025 13:15 [IST]
Last Update: Sunday, Aug 24, 2025 07:40 [IST]
For decades, India’s agricultural story has been one of industrial ambition, a Green Revolution built on the back of fertilisers, pesticides, and high-yield seeds. It was a story of abundance, but one that left scars on our soil, our water, and the very health of our farmers. But a new chapter is beginning. The formal launch of the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), set to go live on August 23, 2025, isn’t just another government scheme. It’s a quiet revolution, a return to our roots, aiming to heal the land and empower our farmers.
This mission, with its ?2,481 crore commitment, seeks to replace the 'input' model of agriculture with an 'ecosystem' model. The progress so far is a testament to its potential. Over 10 lakh farmers have already embraced this chemical-free way of life, guided by more than 70,000 Krishi Sakhis who are helping them transition. The NMNF is a beautiful vision, but for it to truly take root, it must confront a few thorny issues.
The Hidden Costs of the Old Ways
The NMNF isn't just about a philosophical shift; it's a strategic move to address the colossal and unsustainable costs of our current farming system. Year after year, the government spends a staggering amount on fertiliser subsidies—in fiscal year 2024-25, this figure stood at an estimated ?1.91 lakh crore. This immense financial burden, which diverts funds from other critical sectors, is a direct result of our farmers' dependence on chemical fertilisers. The problem is compounded by a heavy reliance on imports. To meet domestic demand, India imported over 106 lakh metric tonnes of fertilisers in 2023-24 alone, making us vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions and price volatility.
But the most insidious cost isn't economic; it's the health and environmental price we pay. The excessive and imbalanced use of chemical fertilisers has ravaged our soil, depleting its organic matter and disrupting its natural microbial life. The runoff from farms pollutes rivers and lakes, creating toxic "dead zones." The food we eat isn't exempt from this. A recent ICAR report found that 28% of food samples contained detectable pesticide residues, with a small but significant percentage exceeding safety limits. This reality, where our food and water can become hazardous, is the strongest argument for a fundamental shift.
Growing Pains on the Ground
The NMNF mission has its own set of challenges. The most immediate is the slow pace of establishing Bio-Input Resource Centres (BRCs). These hubs are meant to be the heart of the mission, providing farmers with the natural inputs they need, like Jeevamrit and Beejamrit. While over 7,900 BRCs have been identified, only around 2,000 are fully operational. This gap is a significant hurdle. Imagine a farmer ready to make the shift but finding no local source for the materials they need. It’s a classic case of policy and practice not quite syncing up, and it threatens to stall the mission’s momentum before it can fully accelerate.
Then there's the inevitable question every farmer asks: "What will happen to my yield?" The truth is, during the initial transition from chemical to natural farming, yields can dip. The soil, starved of synthetic nutrients for so long, needs time to rebuild its biological life. A NITI Aayog study rightly flagged these initial yield fluctuations. This can be a significant psychological and financial barrier for farmers already living on the edge. The mission must go beyond training and provide strong, long-term support systems to help them navigate this tricky period. It’s a test of faith, for both the farmers and the policy makers.
A Passport to the World?
The NMNF's most critical challenge, however, lies in its certification system. The mission champions the Participatory Guarantee System of India (PGS-India), a low-cost, trust-based model perfect for local markets. It empowers farmers to collectively certify each other's produce. This is a brilliant concept for building a domestic market. But here's the catch: the lucrative global organic market demands the gold standard of certification—the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP). NMNF-certified produce, under current rules, cannot be exported as organic.
This distinction is crucial, especially when we consider the global stage. As India grapples with agricultural trade tensions, like the tariffs previously imposed by countries like the U.S., our ability to offer high-quality, sustainable produce is a powerful card to play. A future where NMNF-certified products could access international markets would not only fetch premium prices for farmers but also give India a strategic edge in trade negotiations. It's an opportunity to bypass traditional protectionist barriers by offering a product that aligns with global consumer demand for safety and sustainability.
The NMNF is a noble, necessary experiment. It's a mission to restore our soil, revitalise our villages, and give farmers true independence. But to go from a promising idea to a full-fledged success, it must address these challenges head-on. By streamlining BRCs, supporting farmers through the initial yield dips, and building a bridge between its domestic certification and global standards, the NMNF can become the quiet, enduring revolution India needs.
Email: dcrai@bhu.ac.in
